If you have an hour...
Easily accessible between appointments, the Saint Paul's Cathedral Abidjan is the business district's main architectural attraction. Another option is to take a look at the cultural programme at the Institut Français de Côte d'Ivoire, where exhibitions, conferences and film screenings are regularly organised.
... or half a day
The two great classics for a relaxing afternoon, not only for business travellers but also for locals, are to be found in the the seaside resorts of Assini and Grand Bassam. In addition to the beach, this last option allows you to discover the vestiges of colonial architecture. With a little more organisation, you can also take the boat and set sail for theBoulay Island and its Billionaires' Bay A paradise setting, with a few hotels and restaurants, such as the Coconut Grove Lodge, untouched by mass tourism. On the way, an original stopover on the floating island is a must. Its designer collected hundreds of thousands of plastic bottles that were polluting the surrounding area to install an artificial island in the Ebrié lagoon, complete with a bar-restaurant, small swimming pools and even a few bedrooms and a seminar area.
Shopping It's not easy to shop in a district devoted entirely to business. To save time, it's best to head for the CAVA (Centre Artisanal de la Ville d'Abidjan), an open-air market where you can wander between traditional masks, sculptures and other African loincloths. For the more expensive, the Amani gallery focuses on functional beauty, with designer furniture drawing on African roots. For more traditional shopping, there are malls like PlaYce and Cap Sud. |
